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Readability, Suitability, and Complexity of Online Resources for Lower Extremity Reconstruction
Christopher D Hughes, Bao Ngoc N Tran, Jacob Rinkinen
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver, CO.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|October 10, 2018
Summary
Online health information for leg amputation and free flap reconstruction is difficult to understand, often exceeding recommended reading levels. Patients may lack accessible resources for informed decisions regarding lower extremity reconstruction.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Health Communication
- Patient Education
Background:
- Lower extremity reconstruction decisions involve choosing between autologous free flap reconstruction and amputation.
- Patients depend on accessible health education materials for informed decision-making.
- Evaluating the quality of online health information is crucial for patient empowerment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the quality and readability of online health information for lower extremity reconstruction options.
- To compare the accessibility of information for leg amputation versus free flap reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Identified top 10 websites for "leg amputation" and "leg free flap reconstruction."
- Utilized Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, Peter Mosenthal and Irwin Kirsch formula, and CDC Clear Communication Index to evaluate materials.
- Employed Student t-test to compare mean differences between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Readability scores averaged a 12th-grade level, exceeding the recommended sixth-grade level for health literature.
- Nonprose material complexity was low (fourth- to seventh-grade level).
- CDC Clear Communication Index scores were higher for amputation (70%) than free flap reconstruction (54%), though not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Online health resources for lower extremity amputation and free flap reconstruction do not meet quality and accessibility standards.
- Information on free flap reconstruction is particularly scarce and complex.
- Patients may not have adequate online resources to make informed choices about extremity reconstruction.
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